Now that summer vacations and family commitments are over, I can dedicate myself 100% to lifting/eating again!

I am currently training with an all-natural, former competitor, in his 50s and a current NPC judge. I work out with him 2-3 times per week and will not be able to post my workouts on those days in their entirety - mainly because the sessions are so long and strenuous that I cannot remember everything we did! He's okay with my veganism and we compromise on some things. I'm not big on supplements anymore but may consider some, especially when cutting. I am back to using creatine as I can feel a difference in my ability to lift heavier and longer when using it. I avoid all protein isolates except for the occasional Cliff Builders Bar if I cannot get home soon after a workout.

Current stats: 5'10" - 154 lbs - 19% body fat

Current goals: Gain 10+ lbs of (mostly) muscle, then cut down to 13% body fat and assess

Competitions: My goal is for 2010 but my trainer would like to see something happen next year

Current lifting routine: I train approximately 5x per week. When alone, I lift heavy and in the 6-12 rep range. When with my trainer, it's very different each time but he really pushes me for endurance - and there is a lot of posing between exercises. Cardio is about 2-3 30 minute sessions per week, mostly hikes and bike rides while the weather is nice.

Joe, it's a good thing we're both married because you're not good at this flirting thing. But if you do decide to take my place, we need to see pictures of you posing in a bikini at some point!

You should hear my pickup line.I only own one topless bikini.Hay, sign me up, how much do you have pay to watch a Woman Vegan Bodybuilder pose. Dang. I never get the good jobs.

_________________Happiness is a personal choice!I am the sole source of all my sadness and joy."The logic of worldly success rests on afallacy: the strange error that our perfectiondepends on the thoughts andopinions and applause of other men."Source: Thomas Merton

Have I mentioned how much i am looking forward to working out with you again? BTW dr. joe's system is pretty freaking cool so far. i'm enjoying it immensly. I feel much stronger already. i hope its not just in my head. haha.

Joe, I never thought about charging - I PAY to pose for my trainer (and the rest of the gym).

Robert, call me if you're ever in town longer than a few days!

Dani, I'm so excited you two are moving here!!!! We'll work out together a lot, I hope! Dr. Joe's system will definitely put muscle on you - and make you stronger. They go hand in hand.

Yesterday was shoulder day and I cannot remember what I did at the gym. However, it was tough and I got winded easily. I hope it's at least another 4 years until I get another cold. I'm on my own until at least Saturday as I managed to get my husband and my trainer sick with my cold.

I went to the gym after work and it was way too busy. Very difficult to find the DBs I wanted - lots more college students now that the fall semester has started.

Muscle development is coming along and there's a big difference from last year at this time, but I have a ways to go. We'll asses my progress after another 10 lb. muscle gain but I don't think I'll be satisfied until I have another 20 lbs of muscle on me and at least a 15 lb fat loss. I've always been happy with my height because "you can gain 10 lbs and no one will even notice at your height!" But that's exactly the problem!!!!

I had to look it up, and the meaning is:–noun, plural as·ses /ˈæsɪz/ Pronunciation Key - 1. a copper coin and early monetary unit of ancient Rome, originally having a nominal weight of a pound of 12 ounces: discontinued c80 b.c.

_________________Happiness is a personal choice!I am the sole source of all my sadness and joy."The logic of worldly success rests on afallacy: the strange error that our perfectiondepends on the thoughts andopinions and applause of other men."Source: Thomas Merton

DV...we should plan a trip together. Come down to Venice and spend a week at the most famous gym in the world; Gold's Gym Venice. I was there again yesterday and Monica Brant was there with about 30 people in her fitness camp, some top bodybuilders in the world were there, and some amazingly buff women! I mean huge women! The best of the best train here or visit here, etc. Granted many of them are juicing, but not all of them.

There is even a vegan lifter who benches around 300 pounds. He's a friend of mine and store owner of Eko Zone which is only blocks from Venice Gold's.

Anyway, it's the best environment for motivation that I've found inside of a gym, based on the membership. People are serious and down to business.

Something to think about

For years I've talked about relocating down here during the winter months and last year almost did but couldn't afford it so I visited twice. This year I'm almost certainly moving to Venice for the winter and I'll buy month-to-month memberships at Gold's Venice. Actors, Athletes and top bodybuilders alike train here in a gym with dumbbells that go up to around 200 pounds....they mean business around here!

Think about it...even for a week get away from PDX this winter

Anyway, all the best! I thought of you while I was down here watching buff women throw around heavy weight.

I will catch up with you soon...I have a pretty insane schedule over the next couple of months, something like 7 or 8 cities in two months....so rarely home but I'd love to hang out when I am in town for a couple of days between trips.

Give me a call when you're back in town. I can picture a road trip to Venice in my head (with the hubby because I go nowhere without him):

Robert: Hey, I think I just saw Ronnie Coleman.Diane: Did we just pass that vegan restaurant I wanted to try?Hubby: I think there's a vineyard somewhere around here.Robert: If we get to the gym by 9 am, we'll have time for lunch and a return to the gym.Diane: Can we make it to San Francisco in a couple of hours? I made reservations at Millennium for tonight.Hubby: If the two of you don't be quiet I'm going to leave you here and head into Napa by myself for the rest of this trip.

Yesterday was chest day and a trip to the last 3 vineyards we wanted to visit since we moved here. The scenery was fantastic and so were some of the wines.

The only up side to bulking is that I can drink wine. It has the only empty calories worth consuming, IMO! I always work out on Sundays unless we're traveling. It's a great day to be at the gym since there are so few people.

Yesterday was leg day:

Legs

Walking DB Lunges - on an incline20 x 1225 x 1230 x 12

Squats - traditional, with a barbell95 x 15115 x 12125 x 8125 x 8

Reverse Hack Squats90 x 12135 x 10145 x 8145 x 8

Leg Extensions - hold for 2 seconds at the end of each rep, 10 seconds after each set60 x 1260 x 1260 x 1260 x 12

Give me a call when you're back in town. I can picture a road trip to Venice in my head (with the hubby because I go nowhere without him):

Robert: Hey, I think I just saw Ronnie Coleman.Diane: Did we just pass that vegan restaurant I wanted to try?Hubby: I think there's a vineyard somewhere around here.Robert: If we get to the gym by 9 am, we'll have time for lunch and a return to the gym.Diane: Can we make it to San Francisco in a couple of hours? I made reservations at Millennium for tonight.Hubby: If the two of you don't be quiet I'm going to leave you here and head into Napa by myself for the rest of this trip.

Yesterday was chest day and a trip to the last 3 vineyards we wanted to visit since we moved here. The scenery was fantastic and so were some of the wines.

Cable Flys - straight and incline, 4 sets each with a good squeeze at the end

Calves and Abs

Let's make it happen!

I have a feeling that my winter move to Venice may become much more permanent over time......L.A. just jives with me so well for so many reasons. We'll see, but for sure I'll be back to visit many times...in fact I'm coming back next month between traveling events just to spent time at a friend's Grand Opening for his new Vegan store, help get it popular and all that stuff.

Great times down here.

Anyway, train hard, eat plenty and I'll catch up with you in Portland soon.

Leg Extensions80 lb for 4 setsFirst rep, with toes fully flexed, hold for 30 seconds, then do regular reps for another 30 seconds

Hamstring Curls - by far, the weakest part of my bodyOn my own, I can do about 50 lbs but my trainer didn't believe me so he "assisted" me with 80 lbs, then 65 lbs. And then I had to do 50 lbs for 2 sets on my own. I can barely walk today.

So what's your timetable for workout and taking your creatin?What are you eating to get enough protein to gain muscle mass? Wheat gluten?

_________________Happiness is a personal choice!I am the sole source of all my sadness and joy."The logic of worldly success rests on afallacy: the strange error that our perfectiondepends on the thoughts andopinions and applause of other men."Source: Thomas Merton

I take creatine either after my workout or first thing in the morning, just not before a workout. I'm not sure that the timing matters so much. Most of my protein comes from a mix of seitan, oats, beans, tofu and tempeh.

I probably won't keep up this log much longer. I don't have much time to spend online these days, so when I do, it needs to be well spent. I've found http://www.femininebodybuilding.com to be a much more informative forum, as well as very friendly. Unfortunately, there just aren't many competitive bodybuilders here and that's where my focus is.

_________________Do what you always did, get what you always got.

Last edited by DV on Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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